Sunny Side Up

Today we made our way back to Iowa after spending a great week with Grandma and Grandpa Dea in Arizona. We had a pretty early flight so we got up really early, but what was really was that we flew out of the small airport in Mesa so we only had to drive about 20 minutes to get to the airport. Our bags were busting at the seems literally because we all got some really nice presents for Christmas. We ended up having to carryon our dirty laundry so that our bags weren't over the weight limit. After some teary goodbyes we made our way to security. Fortunately their was no line but in true TSA fashion they had about 10 agents all standing around and watched as I struggled with a screaming two year old who did not want to take off her boots. We got to the waiting area in plenty of time, we had about an hour before our flight was to leave. About the time that we were to be boarding we got that all too familiar message come across the loud speaker....flights were being delayed an hour. Here is the kicker...the reason we were delayed was that the plane had frost on it and we had to wait for the sun to come up to melt off the frost. Of course, we were in Arizona where frost probably only happens 5 days out of the year so they don't have de-icing equipment, well at least not at this little airport.

It was now 8 AM in the morning and our flight was supposed to leave at seven. Now I understand that security measures are supposed to keep us safe in the air. But because some morons screwed it up for all of us, we are now not to be able to bring water through security which really sucks. It is especially rude when the management of an airport doesn't open up the only store in the waiting area, so when a flight is delayed they obviously don't think about people having to be stuck on the other side of security with no way to get anything to drink or eat. Can you tell I was frustrated???? Any we finally got loaded up on the plane and got another pleasant surprise. The pilots announced that we have successfully melted the frost off one side of the plane but now we have to go sit out on the tarmack facing the other direction so the other side of the plane can defrost...WHAT!!! After another 45 minutes we were finally on our way and landed safely in Cedar Rapids about 2 hours late, but were greeted the friendly face of my father who always does a great job of defusing my frustration and showing the sunny side of life. Thanks Dad!